The Ceylon cinnamon tree, which can grow up to 15 metres tall, has reddish, aromatic bark.
The spice is obtained from the bark of one- to two-year-old suckers and from six- to eight-year-old tree trunks. To do this, the outer layer of the bark is scraped off. As it dries, the bark curls up into tight little tubes. Cinnamon is sold in cut sticks and as a powder.
The seeds of the Ceylon cinnamon tree are distributed by birds.
Distribution
South-West India and Sri Lanka; now also found in Madagascar, the Seychelles and Brazil
Number of related species
3 (Chinese cinnamon, Burmese cinnamon and Saigon cinnamon)
Use
Spice (also used in liqueurs), ingredient in curry
